The Wellington Firebirds will face-off against the Canterbury Kings in the 9th Match of the 2021-22 edition of the Super Smash. The match is to be played in the Basin Reserve, Wellington, the home ground of the Firebirds. Currently, both the Firebirds and the Kings are poised at fourth and fifth position in the points table respectively. Both have four points each, but the Kings are ahead because of their net run rate.
In their last encounter, the Firebirds came on top as they won that match by 27-runs. For the Firebirds, it was their superstar keeper-batter Finn Allen who scored a brisk 57 from just 30 balls which contained 4 fours and as many sixes. The total of 177/7 proved too much to chase for the Kings as they ended up scoring 150/9. Michael Bracewell put the mockers on the Kings batters as he took three wickets.
The Firebirds recently played the Central Stags and were defeated by a score of 14 runs. Won the toss and chose to bowl, their bowlers started well but couldn't maintain the same tempo until the end, costing them the match. They had no answer for Tom Bruce’s and Josh Clarkson’s batting abilities. Chasing 191, they lost wickets at regular intervals and finished with a total of 176/7. If their bowling all- rounder Van Beek hadn’t scored a quick fifty, the situation would have been much worse. He collaborated with Troy Johnson to keep the deficit to 14 runs.
On the other hand, the Kings also met the Stags in their previous encounters. Here the Kings won it comfortably by a margin of 47-runs. The Kings won the toss and opting to bat scored 172/8 which was above par on that Hagley Oval pitch. Cole McConchie played a brilliant captain’s knock of 84 in just 54 balls. Matt Henry thwarted the Stag’s
chase by taking three wickets and conceding only 11 runs in his four overs. They were skittled out for 125 runs.
The Wellington will try to complete a double against the Kings, while Canterbury will seek vengeance for their defeat in the reverse fixture. As a result, it will be a tantalizing fixture.
Match Details
Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury Kings – 9 th Match
Date and Time: December 19, 2021, 6:10 AM IST
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington
Broadcast: Fan Code
Pitch Report
The Basin Reserve pitch typically helps the batters but always offers a little bit of help to the seamers. The captain wins the toss usually
bowls first. The average score batting first is around 160-170.
Weather Conditions
According to the forecasts, it will remain sunny throughout the match and there will be no rain.
Probable Playing XI
Wellington Firebirds
Fin Allen (wk), Luke Georgeson, Michael Bracewell (c), Troy Johnson,
Hamish Bennett, Tim Robinson, Logan van Beek, Ben Sears, Peter Younghusband, Nathan Smith, Jamie Gibson.
Canterbury Kings
Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Cole McConchie (c), Cam Fletcher (wk), Matt
Henry, Todd Astle, Ed Nuttall, Leo Carter, Henry Shipley, Will Williams, Mitchell Hay.
CE Fantasy XI
Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Troy Johnson, Hamish Bennett, Todd
Astle, Ed Nuttall, Logan van Beek, Ken McClure, Henry Shipley.
Captain- Fin Allen
Vice-Captain- Cole McConchie